Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-21
FIGHT TO THE DEATH.
The War between West Virginia Rob
bers and vigilants.


bcrs and vigilants.
TIE MURDER OF REV. Mn. RYAN-eBvERAL OF THE
AssAssrNs ALREADY OUT OF THE WAY, WITH
MOB IN PURSUIT OF OTHERS
A special to the Cincinnati Enquirer from
Charleston, W. Va, october Is gives the following
particulars OF the murder OF Rev. Mr.. Ryan and
the subsequent lynchings, a brief account Of
which has already appeared in THE STAR:
-, when the door OF Rev. Mr.. Ryan's mountain
home was crushed In, after shot having been
nred through the front door. Ryan Immediately
ing both barrels, and exclaimed: .What is
wanted?" The reply was from the inner door:
We wans your and mean 70 nsGe
Mother" speaking to his wife, ~ am killed! l
am shot through the bowels!" Whereupon one
in the side Of the room, supposed to have been
caused by his fall This caused halt, and the
VIE and son took Ryan TO an upstairs room,
part OF the house, getting nothing, overlooking
money near at hand.
STRONG cIRCUMsrANTIAL EVIDENCE
pointed to Charles Coon, George Dun, IT,, Robert
M. Dun, and Perry Drake, for whom warrants
were Issued Drake was arrested quietly at his home.
Constable Gibson and posse Of about sixty went
10 the residence OF George Dun, ST., In Kaintuck,
jackson County, where George Dun IT,, and Coon
were chartered. They had prepared Tor an assault,
expecting trouble some time. Coon saw the posse
moving upon the house and coolly notified two fe-
males present TO leave, as there was going to be
snow. Upon The approach OF the officers Coon
warned them away and Immediately opened nre
with pistol. The fire was returned by the OIL
GERS and 1or few minutes bullets 1ew thick and
last from each party. The outlaws took refuge in
an upstairs room, where Dun was brought down
by a shot from a rife. The Officers then sur
rounded the house, and We're about to set II on
fire when old man Dun, respectable farmer, pre-
vailed upon Coon to surrender. which he did, as
MS ammunition was about exhausted. Robert NJ.
I'm rlnv hno Ep AnuN ar
his house, near that OF his father, by being sur
pr1sed by the officers, he not having q chance to
sh0ot On Saturday noon the prisoners were taken
10 the scene OF their crime, RyanS residence, and
justice set yesterday for their preliminary trial
Meanwhile George Dun, Jr., died at home sunday
night: The rest OF the prisoners were taken to
neighbors' houses, where they were kept under
guard until sunday night, when about three hun
dred masked men took Coon from the oficers, and
with rope around his neck
HURRIED HIM TO CONVENIENT TREE.
On his way he prayed and made o confession,
which is to be received with doubt. The sub
stance Is that he was guilty OF participating in
the murder; that Bob and Geo. Dun, jr, were
along; that Geo. Dun fired the fatal shot from his
others say he did not speak OF him. Whatever the
confession was he was Immediately hung, dying
game. A, After the hanging Of Coon, the regulators
ward the scene OF CoOn's execution. Shots were
nred at the mob either by guards or friends Of
Dun.
instantly. In the early morning Thursday the
body OF Bob Dun was found in the public road
with his throat cut entirely across and frightful
stabs In his chest, almost in sight of the body Of
Coon, which was still hanging to the tree. Neither
was touched until late Sunday evening, when q
corOner's jury assembled and adjourned without
discovering anything. Coon, who had no friends
near, was buried by q farmer. Relatives OF Dun
LOOK charge OF his remains, and buried them near
his home yesterday. Drake was spared, and yes
terday taken to the Ryan residence for examina-
tion. large crowd OF armed men were present,
determined upon lynching him. He waived ex-
animation, and was ordered to jail In Charleston
for safe-keeping. After much trouble and danger
ne reached here tonight under guard OF Captain
Burnett, OF the Eureka Detective Agency and q
strong posse.
ANOTHER LYNCHING.
News was brought here this morning saying that
Dan. Cunningham, the Eureka detective, who
stands charged with having been the instigator of
the robbery Of Rev. Mr.. Ryan and others in Roane
and jackson Counties, was caught yesterday and
lynched last night by the vfgilants 1t is certain
that there were only seven engaged in the
murder and robbery OF Rev. Ryan. Or this num-
Der the v1g1antS have disposed OF Coon, Iynched;
Geo. Dun, 1r., shot In making arrest; Bob Dun,
shot and throat cut after arrest, and Drake, hung
on way to Jail at Spencer. The two Duffs, Coon,
and Drake confessed. Bob Dun, Just before his
DEATH begged that Drake should not be harmed as
he was forced by Coon to 20 with them. Excite
ment still runs high, and 1t is evident that others
Will De arrested for the murder.